This week's conference is a method of showing that there is now a credible business environment for potential investors to assess.

As the politicians have been telling us, the conference, which begins this evening, is a unique opportunity.

There is closure on a former difficult period and now optimism that the economy is strong and getting even stronger.

But is Northern Ireland ready to stand the tests of the scrutiny of all these visiting business experts?

The first requirement is that visitors should be convinced that Northern Ireland has moved on in terms of political institutions so that the political processes are now sufficiently stable to demonstrate continuing cohesion in decision making.

The visitors will be watching carefully so that, despite normal differences, the political language shows enough consensus to give reassurance.

Political consensus is only a starting point. Whilst for business visitors it is a necessary starting point, it is an unconditional requirement preceding the substantive assessment of the business prospects for new investment.

Ironically, the conference speakers should be advised to pay little attention to the political institutions since to debate their stability could convey an unnecessary degree of insecurity.

The conference will be expected to demonstrate convincingly, from firm evidence, that Northern Ireland now has an expanding commercial and industrial community that is trading successfully in international markets.

This means that, far from the normal introspective identification of vulnerable questions, the 'best foot' must be put forward. All the speakers, politicians and business stakeholders, will have been given a professional briefing that emphasises the common theme that Northern Ireland offers a competitive business base where businesses expect to earn a return on their investment.

Some of the visiting business chief executives may make decisions about investment plans whilst they are here. However, that will be the exception. Most will look, listen and learn and, usually, make discreet inquiries in the days and weeks following the conference.

Big investment decisions take many months of planning. The impact of the investment conference can, therefore, only be measured some months after the event.

Business investors will not expect to listen to presentations laced with excessive hype or unjustified claims.

The recently published Belfast Telegraph Top 100 businesses brought together evidence that Northern Ireland has a prospering and expanding private business sector.

The oft quoted argument that the business sector is too small, should give way to a more dynamic and impressive record.

Two approaches merit some caution to avoid being counter-productive.

First, the investment conference should focus on businesses that can be potentially profitable to their owners because of their trading environment.

This is in contrast to any sales message based heavily on Government financial assistance. Financial packages should under-pin launch period expenses, not continuing viability.

Secondly, the potential investors should be assured that Northern Ireland is committed to an incomplete major infrastructure programme, backed by an accelerating skills training programme, which will facilitate new projects.

Particularly in the search for some types of skilled employees a stated willingness to build a training programme may be needed.

The US:NI investment conference puts Northern Ireland politicians and business leaders on the world stage.

Much depends on the professionalism of the local response. Incisive hard questions will be asked. The answers will need to be good.